ABOUT 100 people were evacuated from two streets in Daubhill after metal thieves caused a major gas leak in an empty house.

Residents on Dijon Street and Church Street were woken up at about 8.30am, when police told them to get out of their houses for their own safety.

Many did not even have time to get dressed properly as they were advised to evacuate the street as quickly as possible, and groups of residents had to make their way to a nearby mosque in their dressing gowns.

A National Grid spokesman said the leak sprung from an empty house in Dijon Street after burglars broke in to steal lead and copper pipes.

Neighbours smelled gas and raised the alarm.

About 60 houses were evacuated, and the road was closed for an hour and a half.

Church Avenue resident David Murphy, aged 45, said everyone was shocked by the early morning evacuation.

He said: "It was just mad. Everybody was in their dressing gowns and pyjamas, there were old people there, all sorts.

"There was a strong smell of gas and everybody was just sat outside on walls and grass verges.

"It must've been a major leak, because there were at least 20 police cars there and fire engines as well.

"I've never seen so many police cars in one place."

National Grid engineers cut off the gas supply to the house, and residents returned to their homes at about 10am.

Police are investigating the incident.